Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Schemes

The Lu Clan was secretly observing that fair-skinned Daoist Child, thinking to themselves, “Hmm… this appearance is really handsome, even his fingers are so beautiful, slender and long, if I were twenty years younger…”

Lu Shizong saw his wife staring at the person for a long time, ignoring him, and couldn’t help but tug her again, asking, “Does he look familiar to you?”

“Look like what?”

The Lu wife was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she hadn’t paid attention to what Lu Shizong was saying.

Lu Shizong whispered, “Doesn’t he look like Xu Feng’s child, the one they say is working in Wu’an County, doing quite well for himself.”

Upon hearing this, the Lu wife looked at that Daoist Child again and indeed the resemblance grew stronger the more she looked.

“You might be right, it really seems like him.”

The Lu wife nodded quickly.

“Silence and respect before the Immortal Master!”

The disciple of the Profound Celestial Temple really couldn’t stand it and scolded the two.

Lu Ziqi, who was holding a stone sensing opportunity, was startled and the stone slipped from his hand onto the table.

The ten breaths had passed without any reaction.

Lu Shizong hurriedly explained, “Immortal Master, please don’t be annoyed. We find this Immortal Master somewhat familiar, likely a fellow townsman.”

“Yes, yes.”

The Lu wife looked at the fair-skinned Daoist Child and quickly asked, “Immortal Master, are you from Changze County, is your father’s surname Xu?”

The disciple of the Profound Sect looked at the Daoist Child with some suspicion, this person’s surname was indeed Xu.

The fair-skinned Daoist Child looked calm, neither sad nor joyful, just nodded slightly.

“It really is you, you’re Xu Tong, right?”

“Oh, how you’ve grown so big in the blink of an eye, and still so handsome.”

“Look at the Xu Family’s child, truly successful, you are the pride of Changze County. Look at Old Xu, too, never mentioned you were cultivating at the Profound Celestial Temple, we thought you were just muddling around in Wu’an County.”

“Little Tong, do you remember? I used to hold you when you were this small.”

The Lu wife gestured as she spoke.

Xu Tong had little impression of these two people but vaguely remembered they were from Changze County.

Previously, he really was just doing odd jobs at the Profound Celestial Temple, doing laborious work.

Later, he was inadvertently noticed by the Observatory Master, and it was discovered he had the aptitude for cultivation, only then was he taken under the master’s wing, becoming the Observatory Master’s personal Daoist Child, a real step-up in life.

However, he hadn’t had the chance to inform his family before receiving news of his parents’ passing.

He never returned.

There was nothing valuable at home, already beneath his notice.

Their death was a relief, saving him from emotional ties and worldly encumbrances dragging him down.

To him, Lu Shizong and his wife wanting to establish kinship, and getting close was laughable.

Xu Tong said calmly, “Regardless of who it is, if one is not fated with the Profound Sect, then it is not meant to be.”

Lu Shizong and his wife blushed with embarrassment.

“Yes indeed, the Immortal Master is right.”

Seeing Xu Tong’s indifferent demeanor, clearly showing no rapport, Lu Shizong knew persisting would lead nowhere, so he chuckled awkwardly and turned away with the Lu wife and Lu Ziqi.

Turning around, they saw Chen Tang and his companions at the end of the line.

Lu Shizong had a spark of an idea.

“By the way, Immortal Master, do you know about your parents’ murder?”

Lu Shizong turned back and asked in a low voice.

Xu Tong said, “Wasn’t the case already closed? The thief who broke in was executed.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Lu Shizong said, “Your parents had even bought a girl for you, intending for her to be your wife in the future. After their passing, the girl was taken by another family. Actually, that girl should have been there to serve you.”

The Lu wife was quick-minded, immediately comprehending, “That’s right, even if you don’t fancy her, keeping her around to do chores would be good.”

Xu Tong’s face remained indifferent.

He had indeed heard of this from a letter from his father, saying they had bought a young girl, a true beauty in the making.

But he had already been in Wu’an County and never met her.

However, given the backwater that is Changze County, and his father’s unworldly eye, what kind of beauty could they have bought?

Most likely just some unsophisticated countryside girl.

He wouldn’t accept her even if for free.

What was his status now?

As a favored figure by the Observatory Master of the Profound Celestial Temple, even the Changze County Magistrate would have to bow down to him, how could he consider such a commodity?

Seemingly seeing through Xu Tong’s thoughts, Lu Shizong added, “Actually, that girl really doesn’t look bad, she came to the temple this time, Immortal Master, you might as well take a look, she’s at the back.”

Having said that, Lu Shizong discreetly pointed to the end of the line.

Xu Tong raised his eyes toward Zhiwei’s direction, a glint in his gaze.

After being saved by Chen Tang, Zhiwei had been eating well and dressing well at home, her injuries almost fully healed.

Though young in age, she had grown tall and graceful, quite appealing.

This girl… hmm, not bad, she appears quite spirited.

Thinking so, Xu Tong remained calm, saying nothing.

Seeing this, Lu Shizong didn’t linger further and left the hall quickly with his wife and child, not looking toward Chen Tang and their group.

It was just a spur-of-the-moment idea initially.

After all, having suffered a great loss at Chen Tang’s hands, he was indignant.

But given his capabilities, it was hard to take advantage of Chen Tang and he wouldn’t dare provoke him.

So, he might as well cause some trouble for Chen Tang!

He didn’t need to clarify; just dropping the hint was enough.

If Xu Tong really appeared as unaffected and indifferent as he seemed, then it was Chen Tang’s luck.

If Xu Tong wanted to meddle with that little girl, conflict with Chen Tang would be inevitable!

No matter how skilled Chen Tang was, could he compete with an Immortal Master of the Profound Celestial Temple?

In short, no matter the outcome, he wouldn’t suffer any loss.

After a long wait.

It was finally Chen Tang and his companions’ turn.

Having watched for so long, at least hundreds had tested before them, none showing any reaction.

Qingmu had already been tested, no need to test again.

Chen Tang paid a hundred liang of silver.

He didn’t bow to any Immortal Master but simply stepped forward, extending his large hand to grasp the stone.

After waiting a full ten breaths, there was no reaction.

Chen Tang then returned the stone to its original place.

This outcome was expected, so he wasn’t disappointed.

Encouraged by Qingmu, Zhiwei also stepped forward to pick up the stone, closed her eyes, and earnestly focused her mind.

Ten breaths passed without any reaction.

“Let’s go.”

Chen Tang slightly regretted it.

This equated to a hundred liang of silver down the drain, not even a sound was heard.

“Please wait, the three of you.”

At this moment, the fair-skinned Daoist Child in the hall suddenly spoke.

Chen Tang and his companions, puzzled, turned to look.

Xu Tong faintly smiled and said, “I see this young girl is full of spiritual energy and has quite the affinity with the Profound Sect, would you be willing to join the Profound Sect and cultivate under me?”

Chen Tang frowned and said, “But she just tested and there wasn’t any reaction?”

“Indeed, no reaction.”

Xu Tong said indifferently, “But the opportunities with the Profound Sect are inexplicable, beyond the precise measurement of mere grasses and stones, something you ordinary people wouldn’t understand.”

What are you putting on airs for?

Chen Tang sneered coldly, “Let’s go, ignore him.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep